By Cynthia Koons
The service changes were scheduled to be discussed at an informational meeting of the city Transit Committee of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board on Monday, March 29, at 10 a.m. in the MTA headquarters at 347 Madison Ave. in Manhattan.
The route primarily serves residents who are exiting the No. 7 subway line in downtown Flushing and traveling through Whitestone and Beechhurst.
The Q15 operates along 41st Avenue, 150th Street, 154th Street and 10th Avenue, according to the MTA.
Proposed changes would include rerouting the bus in Whitestone so that it would continue on 150th Street to the Cross Island Parkway service road, avoiding 15th Drive and requiring the relocation of one stop by 125 feet.
The Beechhurst Q15 route travels along 10th Avenue and on 160th Street and 12th Avenue, which are narrow roads with excessive turns for the buses, according to the MTA.
The MTA is proposing that the Q15 instead operate on Powells Cove Boulevard from 154th Street to the existing stop at 166th Street. This rerouting would alleviate bus traffic from more residential streets and allow for easier access to the shopping center on 154th Street between 9th Avenue and Powells Cove Boulevard.
MTA officials have already attended a Community Board 7 meeting to explain to residents the proposed changes.
